No More Double Coupons at Kroger (Houston area)
No More Double or Triple Coupons at Kroger (Houston Area ONLY)
As you may have heard by now, Kroger is officially ending the double/triple coupon program at stores in the Houston area on April 13, 2011. This is very disappointing news for shoppers who are loyal to Kroger because of the double/triple coupon incentive.
“With the growing popularity of digital coupons, mobile apps and manufacturers producing coupons valued at more than 50 cents, we feel it’s an ideal time to test out a new money-saving program and discontinue double/triple. There’s a possibility we may re-introduce double/triple by hosting special shopping events intermittently.”
Kroger will still continue to accept coupons at face value as well as digital coupons (eCoupons). I’m curious to hear more about their new money-saving program that they will be launching April 13th.
The discontinuance of the double/triple program only applies to 104 store locations in these Greater Houston cities: Alvin, Angleton, Baytown, Beaumont, Clute, Conroe, Crosby, Cypress, Dickinson, Friendswood, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Houston, Humble/Kingwood, Huntsville, Katy, La Porte, League City, Magnolia, Missouri City, Orange, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Richmond, Rosenberg, Seabrook, Spring, Sugar Land, Texas City, The Woodlands, Tomball, and Willis.
There is no “official” news of whether or not this new change will eventually affect Kroger stores in other areas.
New Kroger Coupon Policy
Kroger has issued an official revised coupon policy that applies to all Kroger stores in the Southwest region.
They have clarified that a digital coupon and manufacturer paper coupon may not be combined on the purchase of a single item. If you have loaded an eCoupon to your Kroger card, then the register will not allow you to use a manufacturer paper coupon. This means you need to carefully choose which coupons you load to your card because they cannot be removed once applied to your purchase.
They have also made it clear that you cannot use a coupon on a “free” item (as in a b1g1 free sale) or use a $/1 coupon in addition to a b1g1 free coupon.
You may also be interested in knowing that they will now be giving cash back (or overage applied to your other purchases) if your coupon is greater than the amount of the product! That is very nice news!
For more information, see the Kroger Southwest Coupon Guidelines and Kroger Southwest Frequently Asked Questions.
31 Comments
Wyndee
I received a letter from my loyalty card info stating that Kroger stores in the DFW area will no longer be doubling/tripling effective Wednesday, 09/14/2011. I guess Albertson’s it is.
Janet
I live in the DFW area and just left Krogers. I had made only a small shopping trip and had 3 coupons. I noticed after I left that they had not doubled/tripled my coupons. I called the store and they told me to come in and they would refund the money. It was $1.90 but I went in and received cash. He then told me Kroger was discontinuing double/tripling coupons as of next week (September 15, 2011). This was due to “extreme couponing”. I told him I would just be shopping at Walmart where I receive a better value. Would not shop at Krogers.
Lynda
Well, for all of you upset that Kroger is no longer doubling….welcome to our world. Here is south Louisiana (New Orleans area) NONE of the stores have doubled coupons in ages. We never get the deals other parts of the country gets. You can coupon till the proverbial cows come home, and the best you are going to manage in a grocery store is maybe 35-40% off by the time you figure in all the stuff you can never get coupons for. That’s still a pretty good savings and I take advantage of it every chance I can. Once I asked a manager why didn’t they double, and you know what he told me? This is the God’s truth. He said “we don’t because we don’t have to. A huge percentage of the population down here are on food stamps and the food is free to them anyway, so they don’t care what is costs and if you notice those are the folks that don’t coupon.” I’m sorry to say that after spending some time observing folks in line, he’s right. The sad part is they could really make their food stamps go farther if they couponed even a little, but they don’t.
Rachel
Stephanie,
I was just to Kroger tonight and used .50 coupons to buy the Colgate on sale for .88. Since the coupons doubled, I was owed an overage and the computer automatically kicked out the change. The cashier took it and said that was wrong. I told her that their new coupon policy said that they paid overages, but she just looked at me strange and after doing the second transaction, took my change a second time. Was that right? Do you have a link to their official policy so that I can print it and take it with me in the future.
mary
What Kroger store did you get double coupons from?
Penny
Can the manufacturer coupons that print out at the register and state redeem at _____ be used at other grocers, or do they have to be used at the store that issued them?
Taffinay
Went to Kroger last night in Frisco TX and after being in the store FOREVER and getting all that I had on my list, I started checking out and realized NONE of my coupons were doubling/tripling. I immediately stopped the cashier and asked what was wrong and she said that Kroger is no longer doubling coupons. I asked when this policy change came about and she looked at me and rolled her eyes and said, I am guessing about 3 months ago, the same as all the other stores. I laughed in her face and told her to check her facts again bc I was JUST in the store 2 weeks ago and used $200 worth of coupons that were doubled and tripled. She said that some stores started earlier than others but that by the end of August, ALL Kroger stores in the US will no longer be doubling them. She was VERY rude and hateful, so I looked at her and asked her what itme she got off and she said in 30 mins when the store closes………..I told her, “I hope your manager will approve your overtime” She just looked at me with a nasty smirk on her face and said what do you mean…….I grabbed my purse, my binder and my soda, threw 2 bucks on the conveyor belt and told her “Here’s 2 bucks for my soda, I won’t be needing the other two carts full of products, so have fun putting them all back up. Oh and by the way, you better hurry, the ice cream will soon melt”. I then turned and walked out.
I understand there are policy changes, I get it. But there is NO reason for someone getting all snippity and rude. So I left. I will do my shopping elsewhere.
Mrs.Carter
I live in columbus ohio and have been a loyal Kroger shopper for about 10 years. This is about to change because of this B.S coupon policy they decided to use. It’s not like they wont get the money back at the end of the year!!! I use coupons because I like to save money as well as give back to those who are less fortunate. Now they decided to limit how many items can be purchased on coupons which is only 3? There going to get a very bad email from me!!
Diana
@Mrs.Carter, DO NOT SHOP AT KROGER they can’t be a coupon friendly store then they don’t need our bussiness…
Laura
Last night I used a coupon on a “Manager’s Special” item. The cashier gave me a long lecture about how Kroger does not allow coupons on these items but said she was “feeling charitable” (I really wanted to punch this woman) so she “let it slide”. Is this Kroger’s policy to not allow coupons on “Manager’s Special” items? I couldn’t find mention of this in the policy. Anyone else heard this?
ep
Well I havent’ shopped Krogers anyway for awhile as I have found that HEB has better prices anyway that more than makes up for the now extinct double and triple coupons at Kroger. The only sad thing is that for all the extreme couponers it won’t quite be the same! The gas incentive isn’t that great either as I’ve noticed that Shell is more expensive than all the other gas stations anyway…not that good of a deal.
Emily Sebastian
Hmm… I notice this posted in April, but the Kroger I go to in Cypress (Spring Cypress & 290) is still doubling and tripling my coupons! The cashier did tell me last weekend that they will no longer “stack” the e-Qs and the paper Qs, but b/c that store hadn’t posted the policy she manually entered the one I had (mistake though–I generally don’t stack those). So, maybe the no dbl/trpl is coming at that time, too 🙁 I’ll let you know how it goes this Saturday though! If they’re still doing it then perhaps that store will have an influx of fellow Couponing 101’ers 😀
Kari
Hi Emily,
Whats the story on doubling and tripling? I just moved to Cypress and was hoping for some hints on where to shop. 🙂
Thanks!
Kari
Ciana
Randalls doubles coupons up to .50 and triples up t0 .39 but that only applies to one item if you have multiples of the same product. EX: if you have 5 coupons for ketchup for .35 off Randals will only triple one coupon the rest will be at face value. I dont see the sense in shopping at Randalls with this type of coupon policy
Laura
In regards to the e coupons kroger has an app for them. I can add coupons or browse the coupons I have loaded (even sort by category). I used to have to print a list, but now I just bring my phone with me, and can add coupons as I go if something is on sale. I do want to note that coupons from shortcuts and cellfire do show up, but you cannot remove them from the app.
Endovall
I am just starting to attempt couponing, because I have been left with no other option. The trouble, I live right in Houston area, Galleria area, heart of it, so Kroger was one of my only option. I have been avoiding Randalls because of their high prices. Now I am seeing Kroger is no longer doing the doubling and I absolutely refuse to support Walmart. Many towns won’t even let Walmart move in, because of how they destroy economies. I am fearing I may not be able to do the couponing now. 🙁 I checked store locator for all other Texas stores, known for doubling and there are none in or even near Houston.
Lucy Esq
@Endovall,
fraggle…I just recently learned that Grand Market and Food Fair started to double and triple their coupons up to .50 and .35 respectively. look for one near you at Gerlands.com . I live in Deer Park and this has helped me so much. Hope it helps you too.
Endovall
@Lucy Esq, That actually does help me a great deal, thank you. I do hope there sales though are more than the online sale ad is showing. I would be going to the Grand Market on 59/Dairy…, it is closest. Food Fairs would be to far, I would lose money via gas tank. 🙂
fraggle
I prefer not to shop at Walmart, but their prices are better, Kroger double and triple coupons made the difference. No need to shop at Kroger any longer. HEB and Walmart are just as easy to get to. As far as electronic coupons, they are harder to keep up with, unless you printout what you have digitally before you go to the store. Besides they don’t always work, and it’s not like you can login at the checkout to prove you have a coupon for an item. I am unhappy about this change. It will cost me $40 + a month.
Jessica
I’ve recently noticed that the Randalls near me is doubling and tripling coupons. I don’t know how long they’ve been doing this because I haven’t shopped there in ages, but I might just take my coupons over there. The down side is that they are generally more expensive than any of the other places around here, so I just might take them on a test run in the next few days to see how they stack up. Not every Randalls offers doubling and/or tripling, so I recommend checking with your local store if you’re thinking of trying them out as well. I also recommend trying out HEB because they are one of Kroger’s biggest competitors in the Houston area.
patrick
Hi, boycotting the stores may help in changing some minds at Kroger, but a better idea maybe to seek out the competition in Houston and get them to double coupons at least one day a week. Kroger is very competitive with other stores, even walmart. If the competition is doing something that is bringing in customers then it will follow suit. Also, find out where the regional Kroger offices are and contact them. They are the district managers for these stores and the ones that are making these policies. Think about a combined picketing and media event at these offices. Let the media know about this change in policy and how it affects working families. This is negative publicity that they do not want.
Erin
Kroger in Nashville and surrounding areas have stopped this as well. I never really went there anyway because their customer service was lacking because they were always hiring snotty teenagers. I definitely will not be going to Kroger now.
It is a shame for them to do this. I feel as if they are going to lose a lot of business. If they may be just adjusted the amount of the doubling and tripling maybe down to $.20 for tripling and down to $.40 for doubling.
I am not sure they realize the impact of couponing these days.
Shelby
Hey Stephanie ~
Just wanted to let you know that there have been reports of DFW stopping as well as some California stores. Also a large majority of stores are not waiting, they have already implemented the new policy.
Also there is a Facebook group that has letters and they are working on creating a boycott date so that all Kroger couponers can unite against Kroger. Here is the link – https://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_150822764981356 – The name of the group is Kroger Coupons, spread the word so that more couponers can join. The leader of the group is finally in “talks” with Kroger and they have adjusted a few policies based on the conversations.
Hope this helps & Please join the group, they can not ignore the masses! 😉
Thanks,
Shelby of ShicSavers
April Anderson
I drive an hour to shop at Kroger every week because of their coupon policy up to now. I’m furious! I will be emailing the company as well as calling my local store to express my frustration. I fully intend to explore other stores in the area, in hopes of finding better grocery shopping opportunities.
Jenny B
Please don’t let this coupon disease come to CA. I already never shop at Albertsons because they don’t double.
Leslie
I am, thankfully, moving out of the Greater Houston Area next weekend and closer to Waco. I am happy for the almost convenient life change as well as the coincidental location and timing. As for the digital change, I have NEVER been able to use a digital e-coupon and a paper coupon in conjunction with each other, so that would have been nothing new for me anyway.
Secondly, in response to Anastasia – I don’t really like Wal-Mart either, but it isn’t for the same reasons. I really don’t like them because no matter which one I go to I almost ALWAYS have some issue using coupons there – regardless of whether they are printed or paper cut, etc. Yuck. That’s my only word for that.
Lastly, I’m not understanding if the reasoning for this is that the Greater Houston Area is really more of a “test market” for this new coupon policy implementation or what, but there is sure to be a huge lash back from it. Kroger used to be more upscale, but there are a lot of stores in the Houston Area that are in less favorable areas where people depend on coupons rather than government assistance. Who knows. *Shrug* I’m sure there will be a decline in business over this, there always is. I still am with Target and CVS so far. I will depend on them for most things, but Kroger still appeals with their Mega Savings Events-type deals. Good luck everyone!
Porsche' Robey
@Leslie,Leslie, just a heads up I live near Waco. We don’t have Kroger here!! My husband and I love Kroger and are going to be driving an hour to Bryan-college station are to be able to shop at Kroger. 🙁 I hate to be the one to tell ya of u didn’t already know.
Leslie
@Porsche’ Robey, Agh, I know! I found out about two months ago after the move. There is NOTHING out here that doubles or triples coupons! So sad. I would go the 1 1/2 hours to Austin just to shop and visit friends though! Thanks for the heads up! 🙂
Anastasia
I urge people everywhere to not only boycott Kroger stores, but to also send many e-mails/letters to let them know how the are hurting loyal consumers.
They not only are changing the dbl/trpl coupons, but making changes to the acceptance of other ways of using coupons. I have shopped w/ them for 15 years and this is the thanks I get! Some people depend on coupons to avoid assistance programs, what now? The only place that’s possibly cheaper is WalMart, and UGGGG, I can’t stand supporting WalMart!
Kymberly
The growing popularity of digital coupons on the part of the STORE maybe.
Think about it. Digital coupons tie you to THAT store. Cost less to produce and can be changed EVEN AFTER THEY ARE IN YOUR HAND.
Say they load a -$1 coupon but later that’s not working out – they can rescind/edit at whim.
Digital e-coupons are great for the store. You’re tied to them. The coupon is good in THEIR store. You can’t take it to their competitor down the street.
This move is good for Houston Kroger. Only. We don’t even have Kroger in this area but I don’t want my grocery chain to get wind of this.
I strongly suggest you stop or severely curtail your shopping at Houston area Krogers in order to send a messange and stop widespread adoption of this change.
Bree
@Kymberly, My husband and I sat down to discuss the matter. We’ve never used digital coupons for the exact reason you gave, but we’ve decided to keep up with kroger since their meat prices are affordable and besides, we don’t do most of our shopping there anyway.